When submitting documents to a Florida Notary Public for execution, there are some things you, as the signer, can do to help yourself and your notary speed the process along and ensure things go seamlessly as follows:
FOR IN-PERSON NOTARIZATION:
- Have your identification handy. Florida Notary Publics may accept many different forms of identification including an expired driver license. The different forms of acceptable identification are listed in the Florida Statutes at Chapter 117 Section 05 – 2022 Florida Statutes – The Florida Senate (flsenate.gov).
- Ensure the document that you are signing in the presence of the notary is fully completed. The notary block or notarial certificate may be left blank for the notary.
- Know where you need to sign. If you have signing instructions, bring them with you. The Florida Notary Public is not an attorney or the preparer of the document and therefore may not be able to advise you on where or how to sign a document.
- If the documents require a witness other than the notary, let your notary know. In most cases, witnesses are required to be at least eighteen (18) years of age, a U.S. Citizen, uninterested party to the document being executed and unrelated to the signer by blood or marriage.
- Sign in the presence of the notary, DO NOT pre-sign the document.
FOR ONLINE NOTARIZATION:
- Have your identification handy. Most online notarization platforms accept a valid Driver License or Passport.
- Ensure the document that you are signing in the presence of the notary is fully completed and emailed to the notary at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment. The notary block or notarial certificate may be left blank for the notary.
- Know where you need to sign. If you have signing instructions, please provide them to the online notary at least 30 minutes prior to the appointment so that the notary may prepare your document for e-signing.
- If the documents require a witness other than the notary, we can provide a remote witness for an additional $40.00 per witness or you may provide us with a name and email address for a remote witness for free. Witnesses are required to be at least eighteen (18) years of age, a U.S. Citizen, uninterested party to the document being executed and unrelated to the signer by blood or marriage.
- Sign in the virtual presence of the notary, DO NOT pre-sign the document(s). All documents will be executed electronically. Therefore, before booking an online notary, please confirm with the recipient that an electronic signature is acceptable.
In conclusion, in most cases, the notaries only job is to authenticate your identity, witness your signature and complete the notary block (or notarial certificate). Therefore, it is the signer’s job to come to the signing prepared with the documents and signing instructions, if any.
Written by: Genna Rubolino, CP, FRP, General Manager
Florida Notary Public and Florida Online Notary
Palm Beach County Florida Guardian Ad Litem Volunteer
Please note that I, as the author of this article, am not a licensed attorney and as such cannot offer legal advice. No content of this article/blog post is intended as, nor should it be construed as legal advice.